Shell



June 30,1925- 1,543,809

T. R. WALKER SHEL L Fild March so, 1925 Patented June 30, 1925.

TOM R, WALKER, F Amxmpsm, Lou siana. v

Application filed itaiehsa iaas. semi-m. 15,431.

AleXandi'i-a iii the parish of Rapides' and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Shelhof which the follt'iwing is a specification.

way of explanation, it maybe stated that, the ordinary form of shell; the powder is ignited at the base of the shell and burns toward the forward end of the shell. The resultis that some of the powder often is blown clear of the muzzle of the piece before that of the powder burns; or a portion of the powder mayigniteat a point within the barrel, but near to the muzzle, the result being that the impulse from the burning powder has to travel back to the breech of the gun, and then forwardly to the charge, before the impulse has any effect on the charge.

The foregoing being understood, this invention aims to provide novel means whereby the powder may be ignited at the forward end of the charge, the powder burning backwardly from the wad toward the base of the shell. Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that the casing which carries the fire from the cap to the charge will adjust itself, under the pressure of the wad, to accommodate the amount of powder in the charge, thereby insuring a delivery of the fire from the cap at the forward end of the charge.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of device of that type to which the invention appertains.

Although preferred forms have been shown, it will be understood that a mechanic, working within the scope of what is claimed, may make such alterations as his skill may suggest, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal section, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, parts remaining in elevation;

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective showing the guide;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modification;

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

The device-teeming the subject matter of; thisapplica'tion may be usedin connection with-La shell of any desired kind andsize,

but, for the sake of illustration, merely, thereis shown. in Figure 1, a shot gun shell 1,

comprising a'body 2,"s'ometimes"made of paper, aintal base '3, 'onthe body, a filler 4 in the body'2 and cooperating with-the base 3, and a cap or primer 5, seated in the bese -3, the: filler 4;- having a passage 6,

through whicht-he fire from the prifnerv '5 passes to'the powder 7, the wadding onthe powder charge being marked by the numeral 8, and the shot or. other projectile being designated by the numeral 9, all'of thisis usual and commomand nonoveltyis claimed for the; parts'hereinbefore described, saving inso far as they may pooperate with ele: ments hereinafter described. 7'

In. carrying out the invention, there is supplied a tubular guide 10, which projects into the charge 7, and communicates with the passage 6. Assuming that it is desired to embody the invention in a standard shell already manufactured,.the guide 10 is provided with a disk-like foot 11, which fits closely and frictionally within the body 2 of the shell 1, the foot abutting against the filler 4. A tubular casing 12 is slidable for adjustment on the guide 10, and preferably is closed at its outer end, as shown at 14. The casing 12 is provided with circumferentially spaced openings 15, there being any desired number of the openings, some of the openings being located in one plane trans verse to the axis of the shell, and others of the openings being located in another plane, transverse to the axes of the shell, but spaced from the first-specified plane, longitudinally of the axis of the shell, the aforesaid disposition of the openings serving to distribute the fire from the primer 5, in the charge 7, at a point closely adjacent to the forward end of the charge. It is to be observed that the forward end of the casing 12 abuts against the wadding 8, and, consequently, when the wadding is rammed down on the charge 7, the openings 15 will be located near to the forward end of the charge. In loading a shell, no particular attention need be. given to the position of the casing 12 on the guide 10, longitudinal of the shell. .The casing 12 simply is started over the forward end of the guide 10, the powder 7 is poured into the shell and the wadding 8 is rammed home, the wadding sliding the casing 12 backwardly into the position shownin Figure 1. The device, therefore, requires 'no special attention, whether the charge be a small amount of dense smokeless powder, or a larger amount of bulk or'black powder.

The form shown in Figures 4 and 5 is used when the device is'to be built into a shell at the time of manufacture. The shell is marked by the numeral 31 and includes a body-'32, a base 33,- a filler 34 having a passage 36, a cap or primer 35; ithe'powder charge appearingat 37, the wadding at 38 and'the shot or other projectile at 39, The guide 40 has a conical foot lel, the passage 36 inthe filler 34 being so shaped as to receivethe foot 41 and holdit in end engagement with the base 33 of the shell,

the foot having a recess 42 wherein is received the seat 43 which carries'the primer 35. The casing-44 is constructed likenthe casing 12, the openings in the casing being marked by the numeral45. The operation of the form'shownin Figure 4' is the same as the operation of the form depicted in Figure 1. [The fguide"10 and its foot 11, and the guide. 40 and its foot 41, perhaps may be i made of metal. The casing 12 and the charge of the shell and having an outlet located adjacent tot-he forward end of the charge inthe shell, and a combined means by the substance used in druggists capsules.

for 'earryingthefire from the firing meansto v the casing, and for supporting the casing slidably' whereby the casing may retire responsive to the wadding when the wadding V is seated; on the charge;

2. A device of the class structed. as set forth inclaimil, andfurther characterized by the fact that saidcombined means embodiesa tubular-guide having an enlarged foot cooperating with the butt of the shelL- Y In testimony claim thehforegoing as my owngI have hereto afiixed mysignature in-vthe presence of .a witness. a

TOM R; WALKER.

, Witnessn- 1 STROBEL,

described, cons 

